NT5224

Does anybody on here take their dog flying? I don't own a dog but hope to soon get my first pup. I have no idea if this idea is dumb or illegal, so I'm gauging opinions. I ask because I've seen pilots land and their best mate come happily bouncing out once the hatch opens, and happily bounce back in when it's time to leave again. I'm not certain, but don't think those dogs were confined to cages within the cabin.... Another thing that makes me wonder about flying with dogs is I'm pretty sure I've seen special noise reduction ear muffs (headsets) designed for certain breeds of dogs. Anybody take their dog up? If so, what are the cockpit arrangements? If you don't want to reply on the forum pm me Cheers Alan

I started a thread on ASIC last year. I couldn't and still can't get it. My policy is to steer clear of airfields requiring ASIC. Up in the Top End it works for me. Cheers Alan

Congratulations Ian, This site has been my window onto the world of aviation, particularly when I'm away at work in foreign parts -and can't actually fly. In terms of practical information, guidance and aviation knowledge I'm not surprised you're scoring ahead of the RAA site. The integration of GA and Rec flyers and their knowledge is also really useful. Thanks so much for your efforts and persistence with the site. Another daily visitor here. Cheers Alan

That actually makes a lot of sense to me...Now assuming he was a REAL bush pilot and flying a taildragger, what would he do?

Ok guess I should cut the whinging now. After sending an email -with screen shot of my test result-to RAA I have finally received the notification email with incorrect questions listed. The long awaited little green tick. So all ends well. But perhaps some room for fine tuning of online training packages...? Cheers Alan

So four days in from my test, still no sign of a little green tick, no communication from RAA or feedback on whether I passed, or which 4 questions I erred on. Today I emailed RAA attaching a screen shot of my 46/50 score and their invitation to retake the test -asking them to decode what it all means. Reading this thread the system clearly works well for some and less well for others...... Intriguing. Cheers Alan

Actually, I'm not absolutely certain on the lockwire... After consulting the specified sources I put it at 6-8, but might have got that question wrong. No way of knowing with the feedback you receive...

OK now you blokes have got me worried... I didn't notice a green tick next to my score. Would it be so difficult to throw up a screen at the end saying that the examinee had achieved the pass-mark and an indication of what is happen next? I have done a few of these online training packages with my work and usually you get a definitive report of your outcome immediately. For example, something like a StJohns Ambo's course actually provides you with an automatic certificate. Not wanting to whinge, but given the expense RAA has gone to set up this training resource, would it have been so difficult to ensure a clearer outcome after the individual has invested an hour or two in going through it? Other than that grumble, I actually found the course quite informative and now know how many turns to put on an inch of lockwire Cheers Alan

So just spent some time this arvo doing the L1 online course and I'm left baffled. Apparently I scored 46/50. Does that mean I pass? I assume so, but if that is true why doesn't it tell me that and why am I invited to attempt the test again...? I honestly don't understand the outcome of this test. Bizarre.

Great thread, really useful Don't forget the Dundee Lodge in the Top End.

Partly due to reading this thread i went and hired 'motorkite dreaming' to watch over Christmas. Gotta admit i enjoyed the show and the fabulous aerial footage of outback Australia. I made a similar length solo flight earlier this year bringing my bird home to the Top End -and the antics of those lads has certainly inspired me (and my wife) to further exploratory flights. So in that sense the film was wonderful. But yes, the film featured some pretty reckless flying. The shots of the lads flying in convoy with the ground team were picturesque, but do trikes operate to the same 500ft minimum altitude regs as three axis? I was also nervous at the lads' first takeoff (in formation). The two trikes couldn't have been separated by more than a couple of metres, and who here hasn't experienced a little wobble on takeoff, especially when opening the throttle, or feeling a crosswind gust? And I reckon running out of fuel on a cross-country flight in the bush is inexcusable... Of course old mate's effort to take off two up through that thick scrub was bound to end in disaster! But I reckon the craziest antic was taxiing into Kintore along a public road at night... I struggle to understand how the cops let them pass.... But here's the thing. I enjoyed the show, and I gotta wonder if the footage was very cleverly shot and edited to given an impression of recklessness and adventure along the way? You notice it as much in the footage of the 'support crew', with nearly every depiction of the ladies barrowing along full pelt through mud and distinctly average conditions... They never would have completed the journey in one piece if they'd been driving like that the whole way... Endless checklists, preflight inspections and lengthy sessions on the E6B would not make for thrilling TV. One point in which the show scored high for me was the lads giving rides to some of the locals. In fact, I think the whole concept of tying up the journey with recognition of indigenous culture worked rather well, and revisited the 'songlines' from an interesting new angle. That won me over. Would I want to fly with one of them blokes? Nup. Did I enjoy enjoy the show? Yes I did. Should RAA throw the book at them? Given the clever editing of footage it might be quite difficult to demonstrate what did or didn't happen along the way....

Hi Alex See the positive in your situation. Sometimes a change in instructor is just what you need to move you onto the next level... That was certainly the case with my own flight training. I agree with earlier comments that a variety of instructors and aircraft broaden your aviation experience and should help you become a more confident and competent aviator. Is it possible for you to complete your X-country at another airfield/flight school? I don't see why that would be a problem, for you or your current instructor. It actually isn't as much as a set back as you might think... Just make sure your signed off on what you've done with the current bloke. Good luck Alan

I agree with rhtrudder above. I always went first to classified section of Sport Pilot first. My favourite articles in other aviation magazines are often flight test reviews of different aircraft, something that Sport Pilot very infrequently publishes. And yes, I appreciate reading trip reports by other recreational pilots. If reader contributed content is drying up, is that an indicator of malaise or something else? Back in the days before the slick 'Sport Pilot' format, magazine production values were low -but I seem to remember it was dominated by member contributions. Having said the above I do appreciate Sport Pilot, I think its now got great production values and have consistently subscribed to receive a hardcopy. Cheers Alan

Batchelor in The Top End about $90 month, might be a little less.

Yesterday was my birthday and my gorgeous wife presented me with a very personal little gift -a tiny flying fox- she knitted as a mascot for our cockpit. He's about two inches tall and soft, so no hazard and I have just the spot for him on the dashboard. In true aviator style he's got a leather helmet and goggles and scarf... :) Does anybody else fly with a mascot? Alan

Hi Yenn You might be confusing Buzz with 'Gus Grisson' who Young flew with on Gemini 3, and who was subsequently killed in the Apollo 1 launch pad fire. Alan

Hi all I've recently read a personal memoir that I found both fascinating and inspiring, and a damn good read for those with aviation interest... Its written by a bloke called 'John Young' who I'd never previously heard of (he's clearly not much of a self publicist!) . He had a background in aeronautical engineering and a stint in the navy before signing on as a NASA astronaut. John went on to have a 42 year career with NASA, through the Gemini and Apollo programs. He then piloted the the Space Shuttle on two missions -and he went to the Moon. Twice! (One landing and one practice landing to test the Lunar module). Old John and his two offsiders still hold the record for the fastest speed achieved by man when they threw open the throttle on Apollo 10 to get home a day early.... But aside from the extraordinary adventures, the account offers some amazing behind the scenes glimpses into the early days of the astronaut corps and some of the personal friendships, animosities and rivalries that existed. Clearly there was quite a bit of the 'wrong stuff' amongst all the 'right stuff' they mustered into the space program. I'll say no more. A fascinating read: 'Forever Young' by John Young. Cheers Alan

Hi folks So I've been reading a lot about 'Alaskan style' Tundra Tyres lately, the alleged pros and cons, (from both the regulator and pilots' points of view), but haven't seen too many examples around in Australia. Has anybody on here any personal experience of operating an aircraft with them? I'd like to know more about their effect on aircraft performance and stability, but also about the process of certification (if that be required) as a modification under RAA in Australia. Has anybody imported them and fitted them after-market? Cheers Alan

We all owe a lot to the fine individuals who helped bring us into the fold as aviators.... Many of my former instructors I now rank among my friends. But I often wonder why they do it? I know young GA flight trainers are often building hours to further their aviation careers, but what about the blokes instructing RAA? Same thing? Most of the instructors I've spoken to don't seem to make much money out of it (-but perhaps I'm wrong). So I'm wondering what motivates you instructor types to do what you do? Is it a sense of civic duty, ushering in the next generation of flyers, giving back to the sport -or are you adrenaline junkies who crave the thrill of white knuckle circuits in the hands of terrified rookie pilots? Do you see it as a way of improving your own flying skills and airmanship? So, what are the pros and cons of flight instruction, and why do people keep stepping forward to train others, -particularly if there is little economic reward...? Just curious Alan

Hi folks I just wanted to share this wonderful resource, in case anybody out there hasn't come across it yet. The flyer's guide; an elementary handbook for aviators : Gill, Napier John, 1890- : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive The flyers guide looks like it was written in 1916 or 1917, back in the days when flying was 'stick and rudder' and barely a decade after men first took to the air. What fascinates me is not how elementary our predecessors understanding of aeronautics, but how comparatively advanced it was... Captain Gill knew his stuff! The first section of the book highlights that wartime flight training typically ran to about three hours up .... And it further occurs to me that for many recruits to the Great War, their aviation training may have been their first encounter with the internal combustion engine, as obviously these weren't so widely found in households back then. Cheers Alan

G'day Phil Welcome to the forum. I'm just a little further up the track from you, Hayes Creek way. The Top End is terrific country for flying over, whatever your choice of aircraft. If your looking to expand to other aircraft types I'm not sure what your training options would be in Katherine. Sometimes Top End Flying club runs a satellite operation down there, sometimes not. Good luck Alan

Hey, I'm not in a position to buy -but just loved the pics of your aircraft since the start of this thread. Why are you selling such a smart little plane after just four years ? Upgrading to something better? If i'd seen this a year ago i might have snapped it up... Hope you get a quick sale and it goes to a good home Alan

Just because you blokes are making me jealous looking at pics of your 'draggers here's a snap of ours with the father in law giving it a proprietorial inspection. As a life long model aircraft builder and engineer I was pleased at his positive assessment.

If you're flying down Birdsville way I guess it might be worth tracking across to Lake Eyre to check if there's any wet stuff in there... I recall two blokes from MKT flew down in Drifters a couple of years back when the lake was full, and it turned into quite an adventure....

Ladies and gents, I reckon there's some wonderful flying to be done around our very own Top End. Flying over Kakadu flood plains during the wet is quite extraordinary, as is flying along the Arnhemland escarpment. I've never flown them, but I'm guessing some sections of the Kimberley would also make for above-average aviating. Alan